Rethink Mental Illness responds to new report on the Mental Health Act

Rethink Mental Illness responds to Monitoring the Mental Health Act 2016/17

32% of care plans reviewed showed no evidence of patient involvement. This was 29% last year.
17% showed no evidence of consideration of the patient’s particular needs. This was 10% last year.
31% showed no evidence of the patient’s views.
17% showed no evidence of consideration of the least restrictive options for care. This compares to 10% of records last year.
24% showed no evidence of discharge planning, compared with 32% last year.

Danielle Hamm, Associate Director of Campaigns and Policy at Rethink Mental Illness said,

"If you go to hospital with a physical health condition you would expect your views about the treatment and care you’re getting to matter. So why are the views of people detained under the Mental Health Act not even being considered a third of the time?

“This is a clear example of where practice under the Act is badly out of date. The Act is currently being reviewed, and this shows that bold changes need to be made in order to ensure that people are involved, listened to, and respected.”

If you or someone you know has been detained under the Act you can share your experiences here.